Saturday
Scarecrow Sunday
| October 2, 2011 | ||
| 1:00 pm | to | 3:00 pm |
Where: Cleaver Event Lawn & Garden, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Price: $5 per scarecrow, plus regular Gardens Admission.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Weekend Plans?
Where: Cleaver Event Lawn & Garden, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Price: $5 per scarecrow, plus regular Gardens Admission.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Dance Party!
You may have heard, we had a different kind of motor break on Friday. It didn't take long for someone to spot a wii console in our midst. I held them in suspense for a little while, then we did the wii Smurf Dance Party! We ALL loved it. I even had some of the teachers grooving after school.
You may also have heard...that I haven't been at school for the past 2 days. All of our K-2 teachers were involved in sessions with Marjorie Martinelli from Columbia Teacher's College Reading and Writing Project (AKA TCRWP). We spent the days observing lessons, conferring with children and learning from the expert. In essence, being the student (very cool to have the kids see you learning).
Here's Marjorie...
You may also have heard...that I haven't been at school for the past 2 days. All of our K-2 teachers were involved in sessions with Marjorie Martinelli from Columbia Teacher's College Reading and Writing Project (AKA TCRWP). We spent the days observing lessons, conferring with children and learning from the expert. In essence, being the student (very cool to have the kids see you learning).
"Contributing author Marjorie Martinelli brings
a background in art to her work as a classroom teacher. For years, she
has worked as a classroom teacher, reading specialist,
teacher-researcher and an adjunct teacher at Bank Street College of
Education. As a staff developer at the Teachers College Reading and
Writing Project, Marjorie currently helps teachers throughout New York
City and in other locations across the country learn to lead effective
reading and writing workshops. Marjorie has also worked collaboratively
with classroom teachers in leadership groups which have inquired deeply
into specific topics including writing in the primary grades, the role
of literature in a writing workshop, and managing rigorous and gracious
writing workshops. Marjorie is the mother of two daughters, Katherine
and Christina, and her inspiration to write and to teach comes from
them."
And one more thing...Is your child coming home from school starving? I'm thinking of instituting an afternoon snack, if needed. Are you willing to send a second snack with your child for after lunch? 2:30ish? Post a comment or send me an email to let me know. Thanks!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Home Reading
Hello.
Here's a little more about home reading...
1. Return books back to school EVERY DAY! We use them for reading workshop.
2. These books are chosen by your child.
3. Please log your reading. I'll collect the log each Monday and replace it with a fresh one.
4. This should be a "just right" book (or two or three).
A just right book is...
a) high interest (hopefully)
b) one I can read most of the words
c) one that sounds like I'm talking when I read it.
d) one I can talk about when I'm finished reading.
*We know that nothing matters more than time spent reading in just right books!*
Here's a little more about home reading...
1. Return books back to school EVERY DAY! We use them for reading workshop.
2. These books are chosen by your child.
3. Please log your reading. I'll collect the log each Monday and replace it with a fresh one.
4. This should be a "just right" book (or two or three).
A just right book is...
a) high interest (hopefully)
b) one I can read most of the words
c) one that sounds like I'm talking when I read it.
d) one I can talk about when I'm finished reading.
*We know that nothing matters more than time spent reading in just right books!*
Friday, September 16, 2011
Math Homework
The directions say..."Tell someone at home about your favorite math exploration."
Here they are:
1. Pattern Blocks
2. Geoboards (with rubber bands)
3. Dominoes
4. Pattern Block Templates and Rulers
5. Calculators and Fill in the Number Line
*Funny moment*
As a student was pressing numbers on the calculator, they said, "I'm texting you."
Here they are:
1. Pattern Blocks
2. Geoboards (with rubber bands)
3. Dominoes
4. Pattern Block Templates and Rulers
5. Calculators and Fill in the Number Line
*Funny moment*
As a student was pressing numbers on the calculator, they said, "I'm texting you."
Open Lighthouse Day (THIS weekend)
Ok, so a new Maine day has been brought to my attention. Have you ever heard of Open Lighthouse Day? Our family will add it to the list along with Maple Sugar Sunday. How cool.
"The U.S. Coast Guard, the State of Maine and the American Lighthouse Foundation are pleased to announce the third annual Maine Open Lighthouse Day.
Last year, hundreds of people visited lighthouses along the Maine coast in the largest effort of its kind in the nation. This year we expect another fun family event.'
The partnership with the Coast Guard, State of Maine and American Lighthouse Foundation is intended to increase awareness of Maine’s maritime heritage and the rich history of its lighthouses and lighthouse keepers."
Saturday, September 17, 2011
"The U.S. Coast Guard, the State of Maine and the American Lighthouse Foundation are pleased to announce the third annual Maine Open Lighthouse Day.
Last year, hundreds of people visited lighthouses along the Maine coast in the largest effort of its kind in the nation. This year we expect another fun family event.'
The partnership with the Coast Guard, State of Maine and American Lighthouse Foundation is intended to increase awareness of Maine’s maritime heritage and the rich history of its lighthouses and lighthouse keepers."
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Author in Topsham!
Hello All...
1. Author, neighbor, and WCS parent will be celebrating the release of her first children's book, The Pig Scramble, on October 1 at the Frontier Cafe in Brunswick. Click HERE for more details.
2. Reminder, Book Order Due date has been changed to Monday, September 19. If you choose to order, please make out a check to Scholastic. I cannot send cash through the mail.
3. Reading Lessons have included
* Readers keep track of their books to grow as readers. So, we are keeping a tally of how many books we read at Read to Self time. You'll see this come home on Friday afternoons with a brief work habit check in for the week.
* Readers know when they have stopped listening to themselves as readers. (...and pull themselves back together, of course. Ask your child how.)
* Readers get ready to read a new book. (looking at title & cover, first few pages, and ask...What do I already know?
* Readers stop when they feel confused. (reread, or mark with a post it note)
4. We have been interviewing classmates and writing about each one. With the time left in writing workshop, the class has been working on individual stories of their own.
5. Thanks a bunch for getting the math homework back to school. Be on the look out for reading books next week. It is imperative that these are returned the very next day so your child has just right books to read at our Read to Self time.
1. Author, neighbor, and WCS parent will be celebrating the release of her first children's book, The Pig Scramble, on October 1 at the Frontier Cafe in Brunswick. Click HERE for more details.
2. Reminder, Book Order Due date has been changed to Monday, September 19. If you choose to order, please make out a check to Scholastic. I cannot send cash through the mail.
3. Reading Lessons have included
* Readers keep track of their books to grow as readers. So, we are keeping a tally of how many books we read at Read to Self time. You'll see this come home on Friday afternoons with a brief work habit check in for the week.
* Readers know when they have stopped listening to themselves as readers. (...and pull themselves back together, of course. Ask your child how.)
* Readers get ready to read a new book. (looking at title & cover, first few pages, and ask...What do I already know?
* Readers stop when they feel confused. (reread, or mark with a post it note)
4. We have been interviewing classmates and writing about each one. With the time left in writing workshop, the class has been working on individual stories of their own.
5. Thanks a bunch for getting the math homework back to school. Be on the look out for reading books next week. It is imperative that these are returned the very next day so your child has just right books to read at our Read to Self time.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Up to Speed
Now that the kids are in bed and the dishes are done, I have a some time to bring you up to speed on first grade. Our class is lovely, and I'm not just sayin' that. I am enjoying our days together.
We have been--
*establishing routines throughout the day and getting to know each other
*dancing to the CheeCheeCha and Razzama Tazzama
*starting writing and reading workshop (including a mini-lesson each day)
*talking how writers...
get ideas
stretch out tricky words
practice telling their stories
plan their stories across the pages
build their stamina to write longer and stronger
*reading mini-lessons have included...
3 ways to read a book (read the pictures, read the words, retell the story)
readers take care of books and libraries
readers choose JUST RIGHT books to become better readers
readers go book "shopping" on certain days
building our stamina with independent reading
*math work includes...
counting by ones and fives
what comes before/after a given number
learning games like monster squeeze, bunny hop, penny dice game, race to the top
working cooperatively with a partner
That's the nutshell for now. All in just 5 days. Wow, we're moving right along.
PS. I'm beginning the process of gathering some baseline data to start the year. I'll let you know more as I proceed. (maybe another entry) :)
We have been--
*establishing routines throughout the day and getting to know each other
*dancing to the CheeCheeCha and Razzama Tazzama
*starting writing and reading workshop (including a mini-lesson each day)
*talking how writers...
get ideas
stretch out tricky words
practice telling their stories
plan their stories across the pages
build their stamina to write longer and stronger
*reading mini-lessons have included...
3 ways to read a book (read the pictures, read the words, retell the story)
readers take care of books and libraries
readers choose JUST RIGHT books to become better readers
readers go book "shopping" on certain days
building our stamina with independent reading
*math work includes...
counting by ones and fives
what comes before/after a given number
learning games like monster squeeze, bunny hop, penny dice game, race to the top
working cooperatively with a partner
That's the nutshell for now. All in just 5 days. Wow, we're moving right along.
PS. I'm beginning the process of gathering some baseline data to start the year. I'll let you know more as I proceed. (maybe another entry) :)
Monday, September 5, 2011
Mark Your Calendar
Our OPEN HOUSE and ICE CREAM SOCIAL
is scheduled for...
Monday, September 12, 2011
6:00-6:30 in the classroom
6:30-7:00 on the playground for ice cream
is scheduled for...
Monday, September 12, 2011
6:00-6:30 in the classroom
6:30-7:00 on the playground for ice cream
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